The Development of an Immersive Malay Village Virtual Reality Experience

Abstract

In this paper we write about using immersive technology, more specifically, Virtual Reality (VR) to develop a Malay Village experience for the younger generation to learn about their heritage and culture. In this project, the research team produced a VR walkthrough by using local content, for instance, using the real environment of a Malay village from southern peninsular Malaysia as a reference to construct the Virtual Environment (VE). 3D models of Malay houses were created based on the images of real Malay houses. The output of this project is a VR walkthrough of traditional Malay houses in a Malay village that can be viewed using a head-mounted VR gear. The walkthrough was then presented to the public in an exhibition. Feedback was taken to enhance the walkthrough experience. The objective of the project is to allow the public to learn and know more about the local heritage and culture through gamification and to promote VR as an approach for edutainment.